John Huff/Staff photographer
Awesome Robb juggles as he awaits the arrival of Santa Claus arrives to the Mall at Fox Run Saturday to hear the Christmas lists of kids throughout the area.

NEWINGTON — His sleigh is busy being loaded with toys for all the girls and boys, but that didn't stop Santa from visiting the little ones at the Mall at Fox Run on Saturday morning.

Arriving by train, Santa Claus greeted the many children who arrived before the mall opened for their chance to meet the jolly old man.

“My favorite part was seeing Santa,” said Avery Cameron, 3, of Somersworth, who was there with her family.

Avery said she asked Santa for a Flutterbye Fairy, a monster truck, and a Ninja Turtle.

“I'm going to be on the nice list,” she said, after receiving confirmation from Awesome Robb, who was in charge of Santa's Naughty or Nice List.

“We had a lot of kids on the nice list and a lot of wonderful parents and grandparents here today,” said Robb.

He noted that though he found no one who landed on the naughty list, there were a few things that had to be worked on like eating vegetables and jumping on the couch. But, he pointed out, “there's plenty of time to work on those things.”

Click image to enlarge

Santa Claus arrives via train to the Mall at Fox Run Saturday as he kicks off the holiday season by meeting with kids to hear their Christmas lists. (John Huff/Staff photographer)

Colby Filippone, 5, of Somersworth, Avery's cousin, said he was also on the nice list according to Awesome Robb.

He, too, enjoyed meeting Santa.

“I asked him for a skateboard ramp, a skateboard, and a battery operated dirt bike,” he said.

While Santa was undoubtedly the main attraction, guests were also treated to dance selections from the Northeastern Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker, tables of crafts, balloon animals, face painting and more.

“This is really fun. I like participating in all the activities because they're so fun,” said Brianna Middleton, 11, of Dover. She said her favorite activity was getting her face painted.

Brianna, who enjoyed meeting Santa and greeted him with a warm hug as he stepped off his train, said she will be on the nice list. She said she's hoping for an iPad this year.

Owen Horton, 8, of Epping, said, “my favorite part was seeing Santa come out on the train.” He also enjoyed getting his face painted and making sand art.

Owen said he's working hard to stay on the nice list by doing good things for his family and friends. He said he's hoping for Halo Legos this year, “because I haven't played with them in a long time.”

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Santa Claus gets a hug from Brianna Middleton, 11, as he arrives to the Mall at Fox Run Saturday to kick off the holiday season. (John Huff/Staff photographer)

Throughout the holiday season, the mall expects Santa to see roughly 10,000 families and hear even more wishes from many excited children.

“Having him here adds to the holiday ambience,” said Aaron Yust, director of Marketing and Business Development for the mall.

“We're pretty happy with how things turned out,” said Yust, of the mall's first year in recent history welcoming Santa indoors. “We just hope that every family had an enjoyable experience.”

Santa will be stopping by the Mall at Fox Run daily through December 24. To find his schedule, go to simon.com/mall/the-mall-at-fox-run or call the mall at 431-5951.